◄ 2012 WINTER TRIPS ►
Quebec in Winter / 4-Day Trip |
 This international trip is a great adventure with amazing sights, the excitement of a foreign country and even some adrenaline. We will travel in our new bus to the Province of Quebec Canada through northwestern Maine. Once we arrive in Quebec City we will spend sometime exploring the Old City and getting a feel for the French Culture there. After dinner we will use the pool at Laval University.
 We will start our second day by volunteering at a local food bank before spending the reset of the day at the "largest winter playground in America". Village Vacances Valcartier is tubing and SNOW RAFTING like you have never seen before. Similar to a downhill ski mountain, you will be pulled up the mountain by one of 17 lifts and come sliding down on your choice of several types of...vehicles, including a 12 person river raft! This place is a ton of fun and we are thrilled to be including it on this trip. This is an all day event with tubing into the evening.
On the third day we will explore the region further including stops at the icy falls of Chutes de Montmerency, the Plains of Abraham, and Quebec City before the day's finale of a QJMHL hockey game featuring Quebec City's own Remparts. These games are exciting and a true Canadian tradition.
For our final day we will have a relaxed morning before begining our journey back to Maine.
Trip dates are: February 22nd - 25th
CANADIAN / US CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS - Camper will need either their original birth certificate or notarized copy of their birth certificate and a signed permission letter from parent or guardian (provided by SWA).
(NOTE: FOR THE QUEBEC TRIP WE ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING ON ONLY TRAVELING AS FAR SOUTH AS AUGUSTA BEFORE HEADING TO CANADA.)
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Available Space
Subject to change
white is available
Waiting List Available
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2/22 - 2/25
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Boston Bruins / 2-Day Trip
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 Whether you are a sports fanatic or not, going to a live NHL Hockey
game at TD Garden is a thrilling experience! This trip starts Friday afternoon as we start the trip to Boston. We will spend this first night getting to know each other and relaxing in our custom 12 bunk entertainer coach.
On Saturday morning after a good breakfast we will finish our trip to downtown Boston. By getting to the city early we will have some time to explore some sites like Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and Boston Commons before the game. The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres hockey game will start at 3:00. After the game we will get some pizza and head back to Maine.
Trip dates are: April 6th - 7th
Tentative pick-up times and locations: (Subject to change based on camper locations)
Bangor Park & Ride - 4:00 pm Friday & 11:00 pm Saturday (includes dinner Friday night)
Gardiner Rest Area - 5:30 pm Friday & 9:30 pm Saturday (includes dinner Friday night)
Kennebunk Rest Area - 7:15 pm Friday & 8:00 pm Saturday (dinner Friday night not included) |
Available Space
Subject to change
white is available
Waiting List Available |
4/6 - 4/7
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◄ 2012 SUMMER TRIPS ►
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| The Big Apple / 5-Day Trip |
 We are headed to NEW YORK CITY for the third time but this time it is on the 4th of July! Our first day will take us to Riverdale Farm Campground in Clinton, CT where we will get ready to go into the city in the morning. There is always so much to see in NYC and there will be a LOT of WALKING. This year, with our new bus, we will be staying at Liberty Harbor RV Park which is just across the Hudson River with a commanding view of Manhattan.
We will spend two nights at Liberty Harbor RV which will allow us to spend two complete days exploring the city and all that it has to offer. The day we arrive in the city we will take a driving tour in the bus of upper and mid  Manhattan including areas like Harlem. We will walk through Times Square and hike in Central Park. The second day in NYC we will take the ferry from Liberty State Park (within walking distance from the campground) to Liberty Island to view the Statue of Liberty up close and then continue our ferry ride to Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Once back in the city we will visit such places as Ground Zero, Chinatown, High Line Park and Wall Street. When we are ready we will travel back across the Hudson River, have dinner and get in location to watch a huge firew orks show.
On day four we will leave the city and drive north to Lee, NH and Wadleigh Falls Campground where we will enjoy our final night at camp. The last day we will cool off at Water Country Water Park in Portsmouth, NH.
Trip dates are: July 2nd - 6th
» Equipment List- coming soon
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Available Space
Subject to change
white is available
Waiting List Available |
7/2 - 7/6 |
| Island Living / 5-Day Trip |
 This five day trip will take us to several great spots along the coast of New England. We will start our trip sea kayaking on an estuary in Bath, Maine. From here we will continue a little further south to Sturdivant Island for the night. Sturdivant Island is accessed by a short boat ride from Falmouth, ME and the "family camp" that we stay at is a great location to relax and spend the night together. On Thursday we will continue our fun on Sturdivant Island before making our way back to the mainland and traveling to Peter's Pond Resort in Sandwich, Massachusetts which will become our base camp for the next three nights. Peter's Pond Resort is one of the finest campgrounds in Cape Cod and is  situated along the shores of a beautiful spring-fed lake.
Friday will be spent on Martha's Vineyard. We will rise early to catch the 9:00 am Island Queen Ferry to the island. Once on Martha's Vineyard we will get our rental bikes and spend the majority of our day splitting our time sightseeing, biking and swimming. They say that "Martha's Vineyard develops a fever in the hearts of those who come here from which they never recover."
On Saturday we will spend the day learning more about Cape Cod. We will have another good camp breakfast before helping the local community by volunteering at the Upper Cape Helping Hands food pantry. Afterwards we will spend the rest of the day exploring and having fun.
On our way back to Maine on Sunday we will be making a stop in Boston. In the city we will see some sites like Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and Boston Commons before returning home.
Trip dates are: July 11 - 15th
» Equipment List - coming soon
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Available Space
Subject to change
white is available
Waiting List Available |
7/11 - 7/15 |
| Caves, Chickens & the Corkscrew / 4-Day Trip |
 Travel with us in our custom eco-friendly 12 bunk entertainer coach as we see some of New Hampshires' treasures. We will first drive to White Gates Farm in Tamworth, NH where we will stay for the next couple of days. Once we arrive we will spend the rest of the day learning the layout of the farm and exploring this incredible area of the White Mountains. Activities in New Hampshire include swimming in The Potholes (great spot on a river with deep pools) and hiking to Big Rock Cave. During our second day at White Gates Farm we will get a little dirty while we lend a hand around the farm and with their biodiesel business, Our Town Biodiesel. We are not sure exactly what our duties on the farm will include, but we can be assured that there is always work to be done on a farm  from harvesting the morning eggs, feeding the pigs, weeding the field or planting new seedlings. While at the farm we will also get to enjoy some of our hardwork in the form of fresh food! Our time at the farm will be a great blend of helping, learning and having fun around this area of New Hampshire.
On Wednesday morning after another delicious camp breakfast we will pack-up camp early and head further into New Hampshire to Canobie Lake Amusment Park. From thrilling rides and roller coasters to their water park, there is something at Canobie Lake Park for everyone.
We will spend our last night together with a campfire, stories and s'mores at Angle Pond Campground in Sandown, NH. In the morning we will have the morning to relax at camp, play games and swim in the lake before leaving for Maine.
Trip dates are: July 23rd - 26th
» Equipment List - coming soon
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Available Space
Subject to change
white is available
Waiting List Available |
7/23 - 7/26
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What to do to sign-up
1) Contact your caseworker and let them know your intention
2) Download the registration form (link above) or contact us to have one mailed
3) Contact us so that we can tentatively hold a space for you!
Cancellation / Refund Policy
Full refund will be given if cancellation is confirmed a minimum of 2 weeks prior to trip date.
No refund offered if cancellation is given with less than 2 weeks notice unless spot is filled prior to trip.
If SWA cancels a trip prior to departure, except for weather, then a full refund will be issued.
SWA will not be held responsible for weather cancellations and will make every effort to run trips, when safe, and/or reschedule if possible.
What some campers said about SWA trips
"SWA is the best time a kid will ever have. It's amazing."
"You guys rock. I love SWA. It is great. The best experience of my life."
Support from a parents of a camper
“She said that she learned about herself on the trip and she seemed to have new insight into dealing with others."
~ Adoptive Parent
"It is exciting to know what a wonderful difference you guys have made for these kids. every time they get this type of opportunity it makes a huge impact on their lives."
~ Foster Parent
Limit Space - 12 Campers per Trip
Squeaky Wheel Adventures trips can be a great opportunity for brothers and sisters who are living in separate home to spend time together!
Trip Registration & Cost:
Trip fees can often be paid in full, or in-part, by DHHS allocated camp funding. Please contact your case supervisor ASAP and let them know your interest in one of our trips. There may also be post-adoption funds available. Registration forms can then be obtained either via links on this page under each trip description or by contacting us to have them mailed.
Ages: 10 to 17 (Exception made case by case)
Quebec in Winter / 4-day - $445
Boston Bruins / 2-day - $190
The Big Apple / 5-day - $595
Island Living / 5-day - $565
Caves, Chickens & the Corkscrew / 4-day - $445
Pick-up & Drop-off Locations:
There are numerous pick-up locations for each trip depending on need and destination. Some pick-up locations may include; Ellsworth, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, Newport & Auburn (NOTE: FOR THE QUEBEC TRIP WE ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING ON ONLY TRAVELING AS FAR SOUTH AS AUGUSTA BEFORE HEADING TO CANADA.)
Eligibility:
SWA trips are available on a first-come, first-served basis to Maine children in foster care, other out-of-home care and that have been adopted.
Please contact us with any questions or to get more information. We look forward to hearing from you and traveling together.
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